Type-writing machine.



B. W. TUCKER.

TYPE WRH'ING MACHINE.

APPucAnaN HLED MAR. 13. IQIB Patented. 001;. 29, 1918.

' gwuewtoz 19, 74 Twol'cr 31, his mick/"G130 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

BENJAMIN W. TUCKER, OF SOUTH ORANGE, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOB T0 CORONA TYPE WRITER COMPANY, INC., 0F GROTON. NEW YORK. A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

Specification of Letters Patent.

at outed Hot. 29.1918,

Continuation of application Serial No. 820,244! flied February .21, is This application tiled March 13,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, BnNJAMIN N. 'ltmmcn a citizen of the United States, and a resi dent of South Orange, county of Essex, and State of New Jersey have invented certain new and useful Improvements in TypeiVriting Machines of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates more particularly to a foldahle front strike or other visible typewriting machine in which the kcvhoard and the platen carriage are adapted when not in use to he brought into ompact relailOlL and is a cmitinuation of my application Serial No. 820,244, filed February 2L 1914, which has matured into Patent No. 1,222,497, dated April 10 1917.

()no of the main objects of the invention is to provide simple and etl'icient means whereby the keyboard as an entirety may be moved away from its connection with the type-bars so as to break its cooperative relation therewith when the keyboard is moved from a normal operative position upwardly and rearwardly to a more compact position, and which is of such a construction that when the keyboard is moved downwardly to a normal operative position the parts will again he placed in operative connection with tho typebars to adapt the latter to be up eratcd on tlndepression of any of the keys.

Another ohjcot of the invention i to providc a foldahlc typcivriting machine in which a standard or universal keyboard is employed adapting each typebar to be operated by an individual key.

Other objects of the invention are to prd vide a typcwriting machine in which the main section or frame part and keyboard section or f alnc part of the main frame may he variously constructed and made of a skeleton form to adapt the frame parts or sections to he placed within a separate carrying case or in which the frame is substantially of the usual form but in sections or parts which permit relative folding thereof to adapt the machine to be used independently of a carrying case or placed in a separate carrying case While being transported; to provide simple and eflicient means Whereby a substantially direct connection ma 1 be made between the key-operated levers 0 the Serial No 83,345.

koylmaid and thc iypwhars; and to provide simple and ctlicicnt means \vhrrchy the key" operated levers may have a substantially" uniform touch,

With these and other ohjccts in vicuy illt' invention will he hereinafter more particularly described with rci'rrcnre to the accompanyingzj drauingzs. which form a part of this apliliratiol'u and will then be pointed out in the claims at the 0nd of thc dcscription,

in the dinning, M ght-r l is a fragincntalf" ecti nal plan of one tornr of machine cinhod ing tho invention" and Fiji. i a iouglitudinai swstion takin on tho line il ii of Fig. it cm'iniii Ht tin par's living hrokcn away and rain-rs sho'a'n in a diagrannnatic form.

The main frame 10 may he of any suitable form or construction to adapt the different parts of the tymnvritr-r mechanisms to he supported thereon As shown it comprises a .main memlwr. part or section 11 and a keyboard ineinhcn section or part 12. The main frame part 11 is shown of a more or less skch-ton character and is intended to be placed into anothi! Frans? or casing or form the frame casing itself a prcfcwed, The frame part 11 has a rear Wall 13 and side walls 1-1 at th upper forward portion of Whirl; h lii niiti t" yhoard frame part 12 'ihc part 1: Walls 15 substantially triangular in form and said walls are connected together at their forward edgesby a transversely extending bar It The side walls 15 are pivoted by screws 16 or otherwise to lugs or parts upon the side walls 14 of the main frame part 11 so that said keyhoard frame part 12 may be moved upwardly and rearward to the position ,shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2 and thereby reduce the lengthu 'isc dimcnsir n of the machine, it being UUdQlSiUOti that suitable means not shown is provided to support thefranie part 12 in both its normal and compact positions.

A keyboard 17 of a standard or universal character wherein the type-bars are 0 )erated by individual keys is mounted upon t 1e keyboard frame part 12 so as to fold therewith.

'A plurality of supporting rods 8 extends transversely between the side wa ls of the frame part i2 and on each of said rods is mounted a plurality of key-operated lovers 19 forming a series of sets, groups or banks of such levers. There are three rods 1.8, though this number may vary according to the number of keys employed as a part of the keyboard. These rods are arranged so that the inner rod is somewhat higher than the middle. and the latter rod is somewhat higher than the one forward thereof and all of the rods are arranged so that a line will intersect the axis of said rods. Each key-operated lever 19 has a substantially horizontally arranged arm 20 on one end of which is a finger key 21. and said arm 20 is a! 'anged to have a substantial bearing surface on its fulcrum rod. Each of the keyoperated levers has a downwardly extending arm 22, and said arm 22 with the arm 20 forms a substantially bell-crank shaped lever. The arms 22 of each key-lever are connected to a. springidii and each spring is held to a transversely extending rod 24 carried by the keyboard frame part- 12. These springs tend normally to force the key operated levers against bars 25 extending transversely of the machine between the sides 15 of the frame part 12. The bars 25 form stops and the upper bar 25 is adapted to engage the arm 20 while the two lower bars 25 are adapted to engage the vertically arranged arms 22 of the key-operated levers.

Typc-bars 26 are pivotally mounted at 27 in hangers or in a segment as preferred and said type-bars are adapted to have a plurality of type thereon as usual, the number of type varying according to whether a single or double case shift is employed. The type-bars at their outer ends are supported on cushions 28 held to a curved frame or plate 2!), or the said type-bars may be otherwise supported. A link 30 extends from each type-bar forwardly and downwardly therefrom. One set of links 30 is supported by the ends of arms 31, the second set of links by the arms 32, and the third set of links by the arms The arms 31 to 33 are supported upon transversely extending rods and each arm is normally forced forwardly and downwardly by a spring 34 the inner end of which is held to a transversely ex tending rod 3:). The arms 31 to 33 may be, pivoted to the links 30 or otherwise held to support the same and tend normally through the springs 34 to force the links and typebars to their normal position as shown in the drawings. The links supported by the arms 30 are operated by the uppermost keyoperated levers 19, the. links supported by the. arms by the middle key-operated levers 19, and the links supported by the lowermost arms 33 are operated by the lowest keyoperatml lovers 1", the position and arrangement of the links and the relative lengths of the. arms of the key-operated levers being such that the force required to move the links is substantiall the same with each bank of keys. As eacli key-operated lever is moved by one of the keys 21 its cooperating link will force the typc'bar with a push action upwardly and rearward against a platen 2-56 as usual and as soon as the key is released one of the springs 3t will restore the link and type-bar to their normal position. In case the machine is to be folded to a compact condition the keyboard frame part 12 is moved upwardly and rearward as shownin dotted lines in Fig. 2 which will break the connection between the key-operated levers 19 and the links to adapt; the key-operated levers with the keyboard and parts mounted on the frame part 12 to be moved away from the links and over the main frame part 11, thus making a contact break joint connection between the key-ope 'ated lever and said links 30.

The carriage 37 may be of any desired construction and is adapted to travel transversely of the machine and is controlled by suitable escapcment mechanism, not shown, in the usual or in any preferred way. The carriage 37 supports the platen 36 and has the usual parts cooperating therewith as paper feeding means, lino-spacing mcchanlsm, ribbon mechanism and other features usually employed in typewritil'ig machines but which form no part of the present inventlon and for that reason it was thought unnecessary to illustrate the same in detail. Que of the spools 38 of the ribbon mechanism ann the rocking frame 3!) which serves as means for operating the ribbon mechanism and the escapement dogs are shown. The rocking frame 39 has a transversely ex tending bar it) for operating the ribbon mechanism and the. escapemcnt dogs to permit the carriage to have its letter space movement as usual and this rocking frame has vertical arms which are engaged by a transversely extending rod 41. The roll 41 connects two bell-crank levers 42 located on opposite. sides of the machine and these bcll crank levers are pivotally connected to a universal bar 43 by means of upright arms 44 in substantially the same manner as the ('orona typewriter. The universal bar 43 is engaged by rearwardly extending lugs 45 on the type-bars and also on the spacing means so that the universal bar will move the frame 39 back and forth to perform its various functions at the operation ofeach key. The spacing means may be connected to operate the universal bar in substantially the same manner as the t pc-bars 26 are operated by the keys 21. T is space levers 46 are connected by the finger bar .47 and said spacelevers 46 may be mounted on one of the transversely extending rods 18 and connected to operate a part as 48 through a suitable link or links as already described.

The HPQCE im'am if more mounted with L r the frmna pan-t 155 z; w 7 and when fifided the keybmnfl lb in rehlf-i'an t0 the platen jarring?! It win thus be evidv'ent thfii fmimi means prm'i '1 i3 board may be fnhiwl u L bars 1' the platen carriag in 11121031 v to be made cuillpzwi; in simple and efi'vrrim break is secured whereby a T44 l comm-M5011 may bu mack .Juiwman i bars and the key-npemted levers wh l permit the keyboard to be fehhfl '1" mm .5 normal operative pasiticn m an innpcmtiw com act position.

. avi ng thus eles ibwl my inwmv claim as 5%; am} 13a x Patent I. In a IDKRHI'H'DLJ Haw- 9h Fm mm. tiun of a main frame". i'mqn 11;: 1M) hinged togethm' to Yuk? and 1m luhi. ii

26 board having key-upumted levers menu.

upon one frame part and nn'ungm? in groups. Wins-bars muuntml upsn amihvz' part, a platen carriage muuntod 0 1 iiw swim part as the fypwbars, and links arranged Eu 8! groups and each group of type b211- 0mm?- mg links adapied t0 upvl'at d by in pendent groups of ke :pm'afvd hinting :1 dirvut break join? 001mm with 2:. In a ypnwriting nun-him. 21w umui im tion 0f :1 main frame cumprishag a piurazliiy of x clatively movabln part having a eel iiw main hams gmri m1 \vh'u'h 1m p0siti0n and an abnormal? compact pl an mmmtcli and zuiupb a keyboard having key-operatui ienm w! m 1161i mm- Hy 21ml rmn-u'm'cl to move 40 mounted upon one frame part, type lam-s the laepupvmhwl lovers away mm thv links 5 mounted upon another frame part. and {inf-m 4m} phwe thmn mm and :llmw Hm main Connected :1! one 051C! in the Typo bars and jrmb pun. having :1 direct mimlavi' hreak-juim m; {in with H10 kr-j npvt-rz-i(HI iuwrs: 22E

Minn link a- 9. In a typewriting maehine. the eombination of a main frame part. a platen earriage adapted to travel along said main frame part. t vpe-bars mounted to move upwardly and rearward on said main frame part. a plurality ot' banks of key-operated levers having one arm of eat'h lever extending downwardly. stops for limiting the movement of the key operated levers in one direetion. springs normally toreing the key-operated levers to their normal operative position. links having a eontaet engagement. with the key-operated levers adapted to opera e eaeh t vpe-ha as its eot'iperating key operated lever is depressed. and a t'oldahle frame part on whieh all of the ln y-operated levers are mounted to partake of the folding movement thereof. I

It). In a typewriting maehine. the eombination of a main frame part. a platen earriage supported thereon. type bars pivotally mounted in the main frame part. and mov abl upwardly and rearwardl v. a keyboard frame part held to the main frame part and movable from a normal position to a more eompaet position. key operated levers mounted on the keyboard t'rame part and t'oldable therewith. springs held to the keyboard frame part and engaging the key-operated levers t'or l ori'ing said levers to their norlnal position. and links having a direet eontaet engagement only with the kevoperated levers and having a direct positive eonneetiou with the t vpe bars intermediate the pivotal points of the t vpe bars and the t vpe.-

II. In a t pewriting maehine. the eomhination of a main frame part. a platen earriage adapted to travel along said main frame part, typt bars mounted on said main frame part. a plurality of ln-y-operated levet's forming a part of a universal keyboard, stops for limiting the movement of the keyopt rated levers .in one direetion. springs noimally foreing the key-operated levers to their normal operative position. links hav ing a eontaet engagement with the key-open ated levers adapted to operate eaeh type-bar as its eoiiperating key-operated lever is depressed. and a toldahle frame part on whieh all of the ln-y'operated levers are mounted.

1;. In a typewriting maehine. the eoinbinat ion of a frame eomprising relatively mov able parts having a normal operative pose tion and an abnormal eompaet position. keyoperated levers mounted on one frame part. type bars mounted upon another frame part. links having a direet eontaet brealejoint engagement at one end with the key-operated levers and pivotally eonneeted at their opposite ends with the t vpe harm, and yieldable means for normall) t'oreiug said links in one direetion and supporting the free ends of said links in position to be engaged by the keyperated levers when the frame parts are in normal position.

13. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a frame eomprising relatively movable parts having a normal operative position and an abnormal compact position. keyoperated levers mounted on one frame part, t vpe bars pivotally mounted upon another frame part. links having a direet eontaet break-joint engagement at one end with the keyoperated levers aml pivotally eonneeted at their opposite ends with the type-bars between the pivotal points of the type bars and the ty )e, and yieldable means for normally t'orelng said links in one direction and supporting the free ends of said links in position to he engaged by the key-operated levers when the frame parts are in normal position.

It In a typewriting machine. the combination of a main frame, upwardly and rearwardly movable typo bars pivotally supported in the main frame. a keyboard support pivotallv held to the main frame and movable upwardly and rearwardly from a normal position to a more eompaet position. hellerank levers pivotally mounted on the ln-vboard support having substantially horizontally extending portions earrying keys and depending portions. links pivotally eonneeted at one end with the t vpe bars intermediate the ends of said type bars, and means for normally toreing said links in one direetion and supporting the t'reeendsthereof in position to be direetly engaged by the depending portions of the bell-"rank lovers when the keyboard support is in normal position.

15. In a t vpewriting maehine. the combination of a main frame. upwardly and rear wardly movable type bars pivotally supported in the main frame. a keyboard support pivotally held to the main frame and movable upwardly and rearwardly from a normal position to a more eompaet position. bell -rank levers pivotally mounted on the keyboard support having substantially horizontally extending portions earrying keys and depending port ions, links pivotally eonnerted at one end with the type bars intermediate the ends of said type bars, and mean for supporting the opposite ends of said links in position to be engaged by the depending portions of said bell-orank levers when the keyboard support is in normal position.

l fi. In a typewriting maehine, the eombination of a main frame. type bars mounted therein. a keyboard support pivotally held to the main frame to fold and unfold. bellerank key-operated levers mounted in groups on the keyboard support. the levers of the dilt'erent groups being of relatively ditt'el'ent lengths. links pivotally eonneeted at one end to the t v )e hars and adapted to be aetuated by said logy-operated levers when the keyboard support is in normal unfolded posi tion, and means mounted in the main frame for supporting the opposite ends of said links.

17. ln a typmvriting llllllllllfl. (lie (()1l1l')lnation of a main framv, type bars lllUllllt-Hl therein, a keyboard snppnit pivntally l](l(l t0 the main frame to fold and inrlnld. ln-llcrank kqv-nperaleal levers nmnntwl in groups on 11m keyboard support, the levers of the different groups being of relatively iliflurvnt longllls, links pivotally rtunncrtei'l at one uml in the type bars and adapted to be actuated by said kcy-eperai'ed levers when the keylmanl snp aa-i in normal unfolded posil inn a al yivlilablc means mounted in the main frame for normally forcing said links in one direction and for supporting f0r- \varelly i-xh-mling ends of the links.

This sporiiicatinn signed this ninth (lay of March, A. l). 1916.

BENJAMIN W. TUCKER. 

